[Alex Murphy]

A document obtained by The Associated Press on Friday shows Pope Benedict XVI defrocked nearly 400 priests over just two years for molesting children. The statistics for 2011-12 show a dramatic increase over the 171 priests removed in 2008 and 2009, when the Vatican first provided details on the number of priests who have been defrocked. Prior to that, it had only publicly revealed the number of alleged cases of sexual abuse it had received. The document was prepared from data the Vatican had been collecting to help the Holy See defend itself before a U.N. committee this week in Geneva. …

Isn't it (supposed to be) the local bishops' job to remove offending priests?

[Gamecock]

After it all blew up in the media. Before this they were just moved from one unsuspecting parish to another.

[Hieronymus]

To a great extent it is the local Bishop’s job, but actual laicization requires a decision from Rome—the Bishop can suspend the man from ministry, command him to do (or not do) certain things, and petition Rome, but the actual decision regarding laicization comes from Rome.